Valve test rig - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Ed_Dinning · 16th May 2020, 3:55 pm

I see the Adrian H wanted thread on valve holders and testing has been closed.

Attached a picture of my top hat sections that house valveholders for quick lashups

Ed

Craig Sawyers · 16th May 2020, 4:33 pm

Thumbs up for the resistor colour code binding posts!

ValvoStef · 16th May 2020, 4:39 pm

Yes, damn good idea.

AdrianH · 16th May 2020, 4:43 pm

Thank you Ed, I think I will be pinching your idea, or in part at least.

I like the idea of using jumper cables, I guess that the pins of each valve holder are paralleled across, so say start with A B7G then B8G and octal and then a B9A.

Yes the post was closed, I asked for it to be reopened so I could publicly thank Jeremy. It was shut again very soon after. Being a newbie, I will just go with the flow!

Adrian

Ed_Dinning · 16th May 2020, 8:29 pm

Hi Gents, yes wires paralleled across and small ferrite beads added in case of RF problems.
I managed to buy all the different colours of terminal with the exception of orange and violet (sprayed with Plascote). There is a binding post on the top of the chassis for a TC input.
You should be able to get a suitable Al section from one of the metal suppliers or fold your own up.
I'be built about 4 of these units up for all the various different valveholders

B4, B5, B7, B9 IO, MO, Loctal B7G, B8A, B9A etc

Ed

Radio Wrangler · 16th May 2020, 9:16 pm

With long leads lounging around randomly, do they need ferrite beads to keep them stable?

David

Ed_Dinning · 17th May 2020, 8:59 am

Hi David, probably not, but I had them so used them

Ed

AdrianH · 2nd Jun 2020, 2:32 pm

Just to add a little bit to this and show to @Pamphonica that his valve holders are being used and to @Ed_Dinning, how I am using his idea.
I still have to add more 4 mm sockets but these will be of a more standard variety for heaters, cathode, grid and HT. plus a couple of meters, or use multimeters not sure yet.

If it progresses well enough I may add to the home made section.

Must admit I was nearly tempted with the recent valve tester offered, but thought if I did I would never build my own.

Adrian

Ed_Dinning · 2nd Jun 2020, 8:48 pm

Looking good Adrian, you will learn a lot more about valves with this rig than with an (expensive) valve tester.
Ed

16th May 2020, 3:55 pm	#1
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Valve test rig I see the Adrian H wanted thread on valve holders and testing has been closed. Attached a picture of my top hat sections that house valveholders for quick lashups Ed Attached Thumbnails

16th May 2020, 4:33 pm	#2
Craig Sawyers Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 4,980	Re: Valve test rig Thumbs up for the resistor colour code binding posts!

16th May 2020, 4:39 pm	#3
ValvoStef Hexode Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Fareham, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 482	Re: Valve test rig Yes, damn good idea. __________________ Failing to prepare is preparing to fail ...

16th May 2020, 4:43 pm	#4
AdrianH Octode Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Blackburn with Darwen, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 1,572	Re: Valve test rig Thank you Ed, I think I will be pinching your idea, or in part at least. I like the idea of using jumper cables, I guess that the pins of each valve holder are paralleled across, so say start with A B7G then B8G and octal and then a B9A. Yes the post was closed, I asked for it to be reopened so I could publicly thank Jeremy. It was shut again very soon after. Being a newbie, I will just go with the flow! Adrian __________________ Asking questions and learning, or trying to! Youtube EF91Valve

16th May 2020, 8:29 pm	#5
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: Valve test rig Hi Gents, yes wires paralleled across and small ferrite beads added in case of RF problems. I managed to buy all the different colours of terminal with the exception of orange and violet (sprayed with Plascote). There is a binding post on the top of the chassis for a TC input. You should be able to get a suitable Al section from one of the metal suppliers or fold your own up. I'be built about 4 of these units up for all the various different valveholders B4, B5, B7, B9 IO, MO, Loctal B7G, B8A, B9A etc Ed

16th May 2020, 9:16 pm	#6
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,867	Re: Valve test rig With long leads lounging around randomly, do they need ferrite beads to keep them stable? David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

17th May 2020, 8:59 am	#7
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: Valve test rig Hi David, probably not, but I had them so used them Ed

2nd Jun 2020, 2:32 pm	#8
AdrianH Octode Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Blackburn with Darwen, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 1,572	Re: Valve test rig Just to add a little bit to this and show to @Pamphonica that his valve holders are being used and to @Ed_Dinning, how I am using his idea. I still have to add more 4 mm sockets but these will be of a more standard variety for heaters, cathode, grid and HT. plus a couple of meters, or use multimeters not sure yet. If it progresses well enough I may add to the home made section. Must admit I was nearly tempted with the recent valve tester offered, but thought if I did I would never build my own. Adrian Attached Thumbnails __________________ Asking questions and learning, or trying to! Youtube EF91Valve

2nd Jun 2020, 8:48 pm	#9
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: Valve test rig Looking good Adrian, you will learn a lot more about valves with this rig than with an (expensive) valve tester. Ed